How to make Chinese Lantern

Hanging lanterns is a traditional Chinese custom that dates back to the Han dynasty, over 2000 years ago. Lanterns are usually made of paper, silk, or bamboo and have various shapes, colors, and designs.

Watch the video below to learn more about how to make Chinese lanterns

They are hung outside homes, temples, and public places to create a festive atmosphere and symbolize hope, prosperity, and happiness. The colors and shapes of the lanterns have different meanings, such as red for passion and pleasure and round for roundness and perfection. Some lanterns also have riddles or wishes written for people to guess or fulfill.

On some unique festivals, such as the Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese people also fly sky lanterns to express their wishes and blessings.

There are many ways to make Chinese lanterns. Just prepare a few materials, and we will easily make a simple lantern that brings much meaning.

Supplies need:

- Yellow and Red Papers or Cardstock

- A line

- Cutter

- Pencil

- Scissor

- Ruler

- Glue and Glue stick

- Scotch tape.

Make Chinese Lantern Step by Step:

Step 1:

- Fold the red paper in half, along the long or short side, depending on what kind of lantern you want to make.

- Starting at the edge of the fold, cut the paper along the dotted line, but be careful not to cut to the edge of the paper, leaving about a half inch of space.

- Unfold the paper, align the two edges, and secure it with Scotch tape.

Step 2:

- Roll the yellow paper lengthwise to form a tube, then use some glue to fix the tube.

Step 3:

- Open the red paper and match the yellow tube with the red piece at one end. Use glue to make them secure

- Glue the other end of the red paper to the yellow tube, making the red form shorter than the tube

Step 4:

- Cut off two pieces of yellow paper to stick on the two sides of the yellow tube

- Cut off the excess part of the red paper at the bottom or you can also leave it as a decorative part of the lantern.

Step 5:

- Use a line to go through the yellow tube to hang the lanterns.

- You can decorate your lantern with colored pens, stickers and shiny materials to make it more beautiful and unique.

 Congratulations, you have completed a Chinese lantern!